Home cooking attempt — Beef Stroganoff from scratch

I spent an afternoon making Beef Stroganoff from scratch following a traditional recipe. Getting buckwheat right was the main challenge — it's not as straightforward as it looks. The rich and dairy-forward result was rewarding once I got it right.

Russian New Year table is the most important annual food event, laden with Olivier salad, herring under fur coat, and other Soviet-era staples. I served it with kvas as the recipe suggested and the pairing made sense. It took longer than I expected but the outcome was genuinely satisfying. Making Beef Stroganoff yourself gives you a new appreciation for what goes into it at a restaurant.